New Edition Sued by Former Managers for $500,000

Ricky Bell, Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie Devoe perform onstage with New Edition at the 2013 BET Experience event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles June 30, 2013.

Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET

New Edition is currently on tour, but it seems that legal woes may put a damper on that venture. Benchmark Entertainment filed documents in Manhattan Supreme Court this week, alleging the members refused to pay after firing the company last month, according to the New York Daily News. Benchmark’s lawsuit claims the group owes it $500,000.

Steven Greener and Kevin Gasser, Benchmark’s founders, said they secured New Edition a tour, as well as merchandising deals, and hired a publicist. Benchmark said it was paid its fee of 12.5 percent of the concert revenue last year but was fired last month by Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins.

On top of firing the management team, the group hit a rough spot when Brown left the tour because of medical issues. During his last performance with the group, Brown was seen stepping offstage and not keeping up with the dance moves.

New Edition’s tour wraps up in Los Angeles on Aug. 3.

Yesha Callahan is editor of The Grapevine and a staff writer at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.